Tel Aviv (VNA) – A direct air route linking Tel Aviv, Israel, with Hanoi was announced at a ceremony held in the Israeli capital on August 12.
Accordingly, Arkia Israeli Airlines plans to operate its first flight in December 2025 or January 2026 and will begin selling tickets for the Tel Aviv–Hanoi route starting from this October.
The flight is estimated to take 11 hours and 35 minutes, reducing the travel time by an average of 5 to 9 hours and 1 to 2 stopovers.
The opening of this route implements cooperation under an aviation agreement between Vietnam and Israel, following a period of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and various conflicts in the Middle East region.
Speaking at the announcement ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung appreciated Arkia’s launch of the direct flight to Hanoi, noting that the short decision-making and preparation time demonstrated the airline’s strong confidence in the potential of the Vietnamese market. ꦗ He affirmed that the opening of the route will boost tourism, trade, investment, as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, especially in the context that the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA) came into effect in November 2024./.
From Israel’s perspective, establishing diplomatic ties with Vietnam carried clear strategic, economic, and security significance as part of the efforts to expand the number of countries that had previously boycotted Israel but had changed their policies by that time.
Running from July 11 to 24, the event is part of activities marking the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Israel (July 12, 1993 – 2025) and the 80th anniversary of the Vietnamese diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945 – 2025).
Mayor of Israel's Abu Snan city Mesheleb proposed establishing a twin relationship with a Vietnamese locality to encourage exchanges and joint projects in economy, education, and culture.
The programme offering 50,000 free Hi Vietnam eSIMs for global visitors to Da Nang is organised by Sun Group and MobiFone, aimed at attracting international tourists to the Han River city during the third quarter – the end of summer period.
Active promotion at global events and hosting forums like the Asia Cruise Services Network (ACSN) conference will help to strengthen Vietnam’s position on long-term itineraries of cruise lines through 2030.
In the first seven months of 2025, Quang Ninh welcomed over 14.6 million tourists, including more than 2.6 million international visitors. Ha Long Bay alone drew about 20% of these visitors, making safety on the bay an unwavering priority for provincial authorities and relevant agencies.
In recent years, both former Da Nang city and Quang Nam province ranked among Vietnam’s top tourist destinations thanks to distinctive tourism products. Since their administrative mergence into new Da Nang city on July 1, fresh socio-economic development space has opened, with sustainable integration particularly in tourism – one of the areas with the greatest potential.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is the only in the list to be granted the green-tick status, indicating the site's remarkable credibility among international visitors.
Citizens from 12 countries will be granted visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days in Vietnam for tourism purposes, regardless of their passport types.
A recent report, City Pulse 2025, by Gensler Research Institute, ranked HCM City among the world’s top cities for resident retention, placing it second globally. This underscores the city's reputation as a liveable, dynamic urban centre, an image that supports efforts to attract investors, experts, and MICE travellers.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
